July 26, 2004
Iowa City – University of Iowa softball Head Coach Gayle Blevins announced today that Michelle Venturella has been promoted to Associate Head Coach. Venturella is in her third season with the Hawkeyes. She becomes the first associate head coach in the program’s history.
“We are thrilled to promote Michelle to Associate Head Coach,” Blevins said. “She is an excellent coach in all respects and is very deserving of this opportunity and title. She is an outstanding recruiter and teacher. We are fortunate to have Michelle on our staff and now serve as Associate Head Coach. I could not be more pleased to have the staff that we have leading our softball program.”
Venturella serves as the Hawkeye recruiting coordinator, hitting coach and also coaches Iowa’s catchers. She helped lead Iowa to the Big Ten regular season and tournament championships in 2002 and NCAA Regional berths in 2002 and 2003. As a team, the Hawkeyes ranked first in conference batting average during conference play in 2002 and ranked third in 2003. During the 2002 season, the Hawkeye coaches were selected Mideast Region Coaching Staff of the Year.
An Illinois native, Venturella is a graduate of Indiana University where she was a two-time All-American and a recipient of the 1995 Big Ten Medal of Honor. Upon the completion of her collegiate career, she earned a position as a catcher on the United States National Team from 1995-2000. During her career with USA Softball, she garnered four gold medals, one of which was at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Australia.
“Michelle has made a tremendous contribution to the success of our softball program,” Athletic Director Bob Bowlsby said. “I look forward to working with her in her expanded role.”